Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Chiến Thắng led a delegation at a meeting on the implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion in Ha Giang province on June 27.
Joining the meeting taking place in the office of the Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee included Vice Chairman of the people committee Trần Đức Quý, and representative leaders of concerning provincial departments and agencies.
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Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng speaks at the meeting
As reported at the meeting, for the period of the inspection 2016-2018, religious practices have basically taken place in accordance with existing legal provisions and in conformity with registered plans. In addition, religious-related denunciations, disputes or hot spots have not occurred in the locality for the last three years.
The provincial authorities have addressed and given reply in writing to 16 applications submitted by religious organizations in compliance with existing administrative procedures.
However, Ha Giang provincial government has only granted the land use right certificate to five out of 19 religious worshipping places (three for Catholicism and two for Buddhism).
Vice Chairman of Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee delivers his speech at the meeting
According to a local report, sine 1991, there has been 11 new religious phenomena emerged in ethnic communities, including “Duong Van Minh sect” and “Vang Chu” in H’Mong ethnic community, “Thin Hung” in Dao ethnic group, “Falun Gong”, “Almighty God Church”, etc. Some of these new phenomena have created tension within families, as well as brought complications to social unity and traditional worships in localities.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng emphasized the need to fully meet legitimate demands of religious individuals and organizations as prescribed by the Law on Belief and Religion 2016 and its guiding Decree 162.
The government religious committee official also urged concerning authorities in Ha Giang to speed up the grant of the land use right certificate to religious organizations and frequently scrutinize emerging worshipping and religious phenomena in order to prevent negative impacts on the society.
As reported, Ha Giang province is currently home to three operative religions of Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestantism with 19 worshipping places, as well as 68 places of traditional worships.
PTT
